Not sure why this would be considered unpopular, it's obviously popular in Japan, and has a mainstream following in a lot of countries around the world.

But where I live it's not. I'm in a small , isolated city that's 100 miles away (at least) from the nearest sushi restaurant or place that sells good ingredients to make it. Most ppl here still think it's solely "raw fish" or that only fruity or snobbish people eat it. Sure, they're ignorant. They're victims of having lived in the same place all their lives. Yes, they should broaden their cultural horizons & I hope they do & I've done my best to help some. But there are none so blind as those who will not see.

I think that FMA: Brotherhood isn't really that great. It's pretty much on par with the older series and doesn't improve on it except in animation quality - the story is not better just because it stays true to the manga, it's just different. It and the original are 8/10 series to me. Seeing it at the top of MyAnimeList always bothers me ever so slightly.

Also, I feel like it's becoming popular among those who consider themselves experienced and very discerning in anime, to hate on Madoka and call it very overrated. Nah, Madoka really is actually pretty great, popular or not. I love it.

But where I live it's not. I'm in a small , isolated city that's 100 miles away (at least) from the nearest sushi restaurant or place that sells good ingredients to make it. Most ppl here still think it's solely "raw fish" or that only fruity or snobbish people eat it. Sure, they're ignorant. They're victims of having lived in the same place all their lives. Yes, they should broaden their cultural horizons & I hope they do & I've done my best to help some. But there are none so blind as those who will not see.

"Popular" is relative to one's time & place.

I completely feel your pain. I used to be in the civilian sector, traveling a lot and usually in major cities where sushi is readily available (NYC was my favorite non-Japan stop). Now I'm stuck in the middle of nowhere for about a year and a half and the nearest sushi is about 120 miles away. Likely because of the relative "time and place" you pointed out... Oklahoma, U.S....